It hasn’t been easy being Frelinghuysen for the past year or two, but local residents were able to forget their differences for at least one day as the township celebrated its annual Founders’ Day earlier this month.
“We saw people who have been at odds with each over recent issues put it aside for the day,” said Frelinghuysen committee member Brian James, one of the organizers of the event. James added that he had to raid the nearby Municipal Building to find more water.
“We went through 400 bottles of water that day,” said James. “At least 300 hamburgers, 400 hot dogs.”
“We had water in town hall and I kept running back and forth. It was the most we’ve ever seen,” he said.
Mayor Kirk Perez echoed James’s assessment.
“I just want to thank the recreation committee for another absolutely fabulous Founders’ Day,” Perez said at the June Township Committee meeting.
He conceded he was mistaken when, during the event planning, he did not think a second tent would be necessary.
“I was wrong,” he said. “The second tent was definitely utilized. The turnout was incredible.”
Committee member David Togno concurred the celebration was a success.
“I just want to tell everybody it was a really great day,” Togno said. “I think anybody who came to Founders’ Day agrees with me.”
He thanked the many businesses and individuals who donated gift cards for prizes, which were awarded throughout the day.
“I want to thank the people who donated the gift cards,” Togno said.
“And my wife was very happy because she won the apple pie contest,” Togno added.
Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
